The deadline for Rockets guard Fred VanVleet's $44 million team option for the 2025/26 season will be postponed from the original Friday to June 29. According to ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday, this move was unanimously approved by the Houston Rockets and Fred VanVleet, aiming to buy more time for both parties to evaluate the possibility of exercising the team option or reaching a long-term contract extension agreement.

According to the original agreement, the Rockets must decide within five days after the end of the season whether to exercise VanVleet's team option for the 2025/26 season, but this clause can be modified by negotiation between the two sides. Charanie pointed out that the two sides are currently inclined to reach a long-term agreement rather than exercising the team option.

Since joining the Rockets in 2023, the 31-year-old VanVleet has played in 133 regular season games, averaging 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 40.1% and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.1%. His stable performance has played an important role in the Rockets' reconstruction process and has effectively driven the growth of young players.

With the emergence of rookies such as Alperen Shinjing, Amen Thompson, Tali Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., the Rockets' lineup is gradually leaning towards youth. Despite this, the Rockets still rely heavily on VanVleet's experience and leadership in the backcourt, believing that he is crucial to maintaining the team's stability.

Rockets coach Im Udoka once made it clear: "I think the team wants him to stay, and he has the same desire. He is an important part of our growth process, and I recognize everything he has done."

"I would love for him to come back and I think he would too."

In the regular season this season, VanVleet played a total of 60 times, averaging 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 35.2 minutes per game, shooting 37.8% and 34.5% from three-point range. During the playoffs, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 7 series games, shooting 43.0% and 43.5% from three-point range.

VanVleet himself also expressed his desire to play for the Rockets for a long time. After losing the seventh game, he said: "I know I haven't been with the Rockets for a long time, but I never talk about contracts in public. I will handle contract matters privately, but it is obvious that I have poured all my energy into this, and the Rockets are the place I long to play for. The team is definitely like a big family, and I have great respect for our coaching staff, Rafael (Stone) and the Fertitta family."

"I established a common goal with the Rockets when I met with them as a free agent two years ago, and we have been moving forward along this track. This has never been a short-term vision, but a long-term plan. We are now on track and everything is moving forward step by step."